IRS Warns Against Including SSNs in Form 990

As the May 15 deadline approaches for tax-exempt organizations to file the Form 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, the Internal Revenue Service is warning them not to include Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information in their tax forms.

Filing a 990-series return is important for many groups and they are at risk of losing their tax exemption if they fail to file for three years in a row. However, they should be careful not to include Social Security numbers on Form 990 when filing the form. The IRS also cautions not to include personally identifiable information. Including unnecessary SSNs or other unrequested personal information could lead to identity theft.

Amid the continuing headlines about the IRS's extra scrutiny of Tea Party groups and other political organizations applying for tax exemptions, the IRS is being extra cautious this year in warning charities, not-for-profits, private foundations and other tax-exempt organizations that file Form 990-series returns to be careful about safeguarding their Social Security numbers and other personal information. The IRS has also released a video on YouTube from an IRS employee explaining the importance of keeping such information away from identity thieves, not to mention congressmen.